Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Archive for the ‘Arbitrary’ Category

Smelly Cat

Posted by AllieB on June 23, 2011

TGIT. Holla! As is becoming a bi-monthly trend, I bring you today a new guest writer. She’s actually been an invaluable resource for BBT since day 1 (Cuddle Party, an easy target, WaWa, and mucho, mucho más), and I appreciate all of her helpful input via commentary, as well. In the following anecdote, we’ll read about a batsh*t feline and how Chuck Norris Sister dealt with it – I’ll tell you, this is some scary stuff.

I just went on a walk around the Paces property to get some exercise. While I was on the weird side where nobody lives (where Ellis, Dre and Julz used to reside) all of a sudden a black cat came RUNNING out of the bushes, back arched, running sideways all weird how cats do AT ME. Literally eye contact was made. He wanted a piece of me. I screamed and started running and it ran back into the bushes. So then I’m by the tennis courts and was going to have to run back by it. In my head I’m thinking, ok I’m bigger than this thing I just have to scare it away….

I wait a minute to get up my nerve and start running (with authority, big strides), and then it comes out AGAIN running so fast, sideways, back arched again at me. I start screaming and making loud footsteps to scare it….it doesn’t work. It keeps charging me. Plan B- I’m prepared to boot this devil’s pet back to hell as I stopped and reared back to kick it. Normally, I would not hurt an animal. But this is a cat (no offense Tiffany and Mars) and literally it was almost close enough to me to bite me. And I guess when I stopped it got scared (or maybe it was my inhuman screams) and it ran back into the bushes. I ran as fast as I could the rest of the way home. Ok, I couldn’t make it that far running but I ran fast for like 50 yards. I’m still sweating and I hate cats forever. WTF was wrong with that thing?! Is it rabid? It had a collar.

Save for a very special Madison who resides in SoFLA, I am not a fan of cats – at all, whatsoever. Dogs > cheesesteaks > a lot of other stuff > dentist > cats = IMO.

I finally got to try The National (one of Hugh Acheson’s restaurants) in Athens last night. It was so good!!! So good. I’ve been wanting to go forever, but whenever I’m in Athens I can’t not go to Last Resort and then I just run out of time. It’s a menu unlike anything I’ve ever seen: southern fusion with a Mediterranean twist? Or maybe it’s vice versa – it’s more Mediterranean than it is southern, I guess…regardless, it’s damn good. I had no idea what I was going to get – they made even the veggie plate sound awesome (VP’s are usually good, but there’s often something like a hanger steak that trumps it every time), but then our waitress told us about the specials, including: bacon-wrapped cod. Done, sahn. It was SO good….so good – from the bread that they gave us as soon as we sat down (didn’t have to wait til after we ordered – that always annoys me), the dates stuffed with manchego cheese (turns out I love manchego cheese), to the panna cotta we had for dessert…twas a v enjoyable evening.

Ok, this is why I don’t include pictures of my food: when taken with a stupid Blackberry camera, it really doesn’t do a meal justice. If I plan to make anything of all of the time and effort I’ve put into BBT, I clearly need an iPhone.

Also, Hugh, I tweeted you re: my favorable experience and got back a prompt and resounding response of radio silence. :|

Posted in Arbitrary, Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Things that can and will happen when it is 97 degrees outside

Posted by AllieB on June 21, 2011

It’s the first day of Summer! Oh, is it, Mother Nature. You could’ve fooled me….it’s hard to go anywhere, really, the moment I walk outside my energy is zapped. Also, and this is more concerning, I have to be very, very careful about my outfits. Breezy materials, obviously, are the best, but even breezy things become an issue when it’s a stagnant 97 degrees outside, especially if you’re sitting down…meet & greet: Swamp Ass. I’ve shared an example on the right from a televised golf tournament in Memphis (credit: Tina). I’m sure his backside was the least of his concerns, but it’s the most grave of mine….so.unfortunate. It looks like he’s wearing a donut, except he’s standing up and that’s not a donut – it’s sweat. Ewwwww.

My tricks for avoiding swamp ass include:

  1. Do not goog “swamp ass” because it’s really gross
  2. Don’t wear light colored cotton material on your bottom half
  3. I don’t know, this is making me uncomf

You’re welcome. If you’re up for it, check out this article/these photos, both of which give a very strong argument to the fact that, yes, the weather is becoming more and more extreme. You are less welcome for that.

I am very lucky to not be a loser and have terrific friends. I’ll quit talking about my birthday after today because, really, this has gone on long enough, but we had a lurvely dinner at Paul’s on the Patio last night and it was very fun. Thanks, guys!

For those of you with iPhones: get the Hipstamatic application. I am gritting my teeth as I write this, being without an iPhone and all, but at least I can reap the benefits of others who have them. There are tons of different settings and I don’t really know anything about the app itself besides the fact that the pictures I’ve seen people take look really cool. #ineedaniphone

I’m joining the cult that is LuluLemon. I can’t believe I’m caving, and I’m almost too ashamed to talk about it, but their shorts have lured me in….the phrase, “if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything” comes to mind, but whatever – that was never a founding father of BBT in the first place. I got the split/speed short and the verdict is: LOVE. I knew I would. Gosh darnit, now I want to try a top…I am such a sucker.

So this “Pinterest” thing…at first I thought it was really geared towards people in the Interior Design business (which I am decidedly not), and I didn’t really mess around on it…however, after Tina’s spectacular assemblage in honor of moi that she shared with me yesterday, I am newly obsessed. It’s my very own board!!! If you would like an invitation to Pinterest, I will be happy to give you one, just let me know. I’m known for my generosity.

Posted in Arbitrary, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Food Coma

Posted by AllieB on June 20, 2011

I am in one. Here’s why: over the span of 48 hours, Friday night – Sunday night, I ate at these places. Some places more than others, but at all locales food and booze was consumed….so, I think you’ll understand my slo-mo domepiece. I said on the way to dinner on Friday that I really ought to start taking pictures of my food/restaurant experiences so as to enhance the BBT experience. As you can see below, that went well.

Floataway Cafe: I obviously got the hangar steak.

Local Three: less food, more drinks…their Whiskey Sour Jell-o was kind of really delicious….sounds weird; tastes awesome

Treehouse: eggs benny; hoegaardens

Varasanos: the Carmelized Onion…YUM

Holeman & Finch: CAKE!!!

Casa di Baxter: homemade scones (I told you that Jordan can bake), two different kinds of bacon, berries-only fruit salad (you can keep your bananas), homemade sticky toffee pudding from the HF recipe…it is seriously the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth that’s not made of steak or cheese or both.

Fellini’s: duh.

I sound like a total heifer…whatevs, happy bday to BBT! And if someone knows why I did not receive this as a birthday present, I am ready and waiting for whatever explanation you might be able to conjure.

It’s not a purse it’s a box, it’s not a box it’s a bag, it’s not a bag it’s a bottle of wine. It’s not a bottle of wine, it’s three bottles of wine, it’s not three bottles of wine, it’s three liters of wine. It’s not three liters of wine, it’s my purse. – The Hairpin

I’ll be back tomorrow with my head on straight. Meanwhile, LIKE BBT ON FB and think of some ideas as to what I can offer for a contest…like, “Like BBT on Facebook and get a chance to win [enter awesome prize here]” Thinking caps: ON. Gracias.

Posted in Arbitrary, Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Wishful thinking

Posted by AllieB on June 17, 2011

It’s summer, ergo I have it in my head that I ought to be going on some kind of awesome trip. Summer = vacation. I’ve got some trips lined up, all of which I’m very excited about, but there’s nothing on the books akin to the Chateau, and I’m kind of bummed. Yacht Week is also not on my agenda, and I’m pretty upset about that, too. A friend of mine is going and doing the Southern Croatian route. I love all boats; Croatia is on my top 10 list; it is literally my dream vacation.

Yeah, that’s not going to be any fun at all.

I guess I did go to Pakistan in February…but that was a mission trip where I was doing totally selfless deeds the entire time, without a single self-serving thought crossing my mind…so it hardly counts. PLUS Osama was there while I was, and that made it just plain dangerous.

Whatever. Maybe next year.

HAGS!!!

Awww.

I get about an F- for effort today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEE

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »